Relationship between GAGE-1/-2 expression, EBV infection and interferon-gamma expression in undifferentiated carcinoma of nasopharyngeal type

GAGE-1/-2 proteins are novel tumour markers, functionally related to tumour rejection. The objective of the present study was to identify the existence of a relationship between GAGE-1/-2 expression, Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) infection and viral infection-induced cytokine expression in cultivated tumour cells and archival specimens of undifferentiated carcinoma of nasopharyngeal type (UCNT). PCR and in situ hybridization techniques were employed. In cultivated UCNT cells, interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) induced synthesis of GAGE-1/-2 mRNA. In archival tumour specimens (n=10) however; GAGE-1/-2 gene expression was detected in only 3/8 cases with coincident EBV infection and IFN-gamma expression. In conclusion, EBV infection appears to induce IFN-gamma gene expression in most tumors, but GAGE-1/-2 expression in only some tumours. The role of IFN-gamma and other factors in triggering GAGE-1/-2 gene activation must be elucidated further. The relevance of GAGE-1/-2 gene expression and its detection by PCR for future immunotherapy is discussed.